New York State Volunteer And Association PO Box 254, East Schodack, NY 12063

District 4, New York City Region PO Box 863991, Ridgewood, NY 11386 (718) 386-9651 FAX (718) 386-0925 E-mail: [email protected]

Ryan Gunning, Chairperson ([email protected]) Martin Grillo, Vice Chairperson ([email protected]) Charles Hummel, Director ([email protected]) Janet Perry, Recording Secretary Nancy Ehrhardt, Treasurer Fran Serrentino, Financial Secretary THE PULSE October 2008

Chairperson's Message

Day-to-day EMS mutual aid, as it is know everywhere else, no longer exists in New York City. FDNY EMS’s policy OGP 106-24 issued 11/18/04 on requesting outside assistance is based on system wide availability of below 25% for a sustained period and excessively high call volume. Neither sustained period or excessively high is defined. Under the policy, calls for emergency medical aid can be held indefinitely. If there is an available ambulance in Staten Island it will be sent to cover a call in midtown Manhattan regardless of response time. In the event of a need for outside resources the NYC REMSCO Disaster Mobilization Plan is invoked and a call goes out to have other agencies notify FDNY’s Resource Control Center of their availability. FDNY Operations Chiefs and the NYC OEM Watch Commander are notified and a mobilization point is designated. It is only then that mutual aid resources might be assigned to respond to a specific 911 call. This is not an arrangement meant to facilitate going outside the system. More to the point, the NYC REMSCO disaster plan was never meant to replace day-to-day mutual aid agreements signed by NYC Health and Hospital Corporation’s NYC*EMS and thought to be still in effect. NYS DOH has issued Policy Statements 95-04 and 95-09 indicating “EMS agencies have the responsibility to routinely provide the type and level of service … expected by the community”. Back in the 1970s such community expectations for ambulance service better than the 15 to 18 minute average response time by NYC*EMS were the impetus to start many of the volunteer services around the city. While current 911 System response times are in the high 7 to low 8 minute range there are many calls significantly exceeding the average that should be handed off to a mutual aid agency be it a private or volunteer service. No way is there a community expectation for a 911 ambulance in one borough to be sent to another borough while there is an available ambulance in that same community. Call, write, e-mail and/or visit your elected representatives, community boards, civic groups, local media and let them know that in these times of budget worries and limited resources options for better ambulance service in communities across the city are not being utilized.

Congratulations are extended to NYC region individuals who received awards at PULSE CHECK: Joseph Marcellino, Flatlands VAC for EMS Leadership, Nadine Levick, MD, EMS Physician and Rosanne Murphy, RN, North Shore Rescue Squad as EMS Educator. Nancy Ehrhardt, Glen Oaks VAC received a President’s Award for her work as coeditor of the BLANKET newsletter.

Ryan REGIONAL EMS COUNCIL OF NYC

2008 award nominations submitted to the NYS EMS Council were: • EMS Agency – North Shore Rescue Squad, Staten Island • EMS Leadership – Joseph Marcellino, MPH, EMT-P, Flatlands VAC • RN Professional Excellence – Rosanne Murphy, RN, EMT, North Shore Rescue Squad • Physician of Excellence – Nadine Levick, MD State EMS Council selections are announced at the NYS DOH sponsored VITAL SIGNS conference.

REMSCO would like to be out of the picture as regards BLS First Responder agencies. However, NYS DOH policies require that BLSFR agencies seeking an agency code and its access to stated funded training must have recognition from their local EMS Council. A subcommittee consisting of representatives from the volunteer, private and municipal sectors has been established to review local policies on recognition. Martin Grillo, Vice Chair of District 4 is the volunteer representative.

REMAC Elected as officers were: Lewis Marshall, MD, JD as Chairperson Joseph Bove, MD as 1st Vice Chairperson Heidi Corde, MD as 2nd Vice Chairperson

Although a 9/23/08 report to REMSCO indicated REMAC reaffirmed its decision to longer support the EMT-CC level in the NYC Region there was no actual vote on the subject at the 9/16 REMAC meeting. There remains a possibility of continuing the level if enough support is demonstrated by interested squads.

TRAINING & EDUCATION West Queens Emergency Medical Training Institute’s request to set up a training site in Brooklyn in the Wyckoff area was not approved. An alternate means of accommodating community groups with training in the area was suggested. St. Vincent’s Hospital Institute of Emergency Care was confirmed by the NYS DOH to have a course sponsorship area of the five boroughs of NYC. NYC REMSCO is still questioning the decision and is requesting copies of the documentation the DOH based its decision on. Barbara D’Amato notified the NYS DOH that she will be retiring her Center for Emergency Care Training. The center had course sponsorship authorization in Brooklyn and Queens.

JOINT REGIONAL COUNCIL-REMAC QUALITY IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE In order to promote best practices and improve pre-hospital medicine, two NYC region wide studies have been implemented for the period 10/01/08 through 12/31/08. All ambulance and ALS First Response agencies are required to participate. The studies are: - On-Scene Time for cardiac (non-arrest) and trauma (non-arrest) calls for both BLS and ALS units - Intra Osseous Access covering patient age & sex, access site, attempts, good flow in IV and type of IO equipment Notifications were sent to EMS agencies in the city in September and reports are due back to NYC REMSCO by 1/16/09.

Data being reviewed indicates a 35% accuracy rate in 12 lead EKG interpretations by . GNYHA feels many patients not meeting STEMI criteria are being transported to STEMI centers. One possibility is ambulance crews trying to select the “best” hospital for their patients. Several training initiatives are being considered.

FDNY NEWS

A new 15 minute standard for on-scene evaluation and management of acute coronary syndrome patients has been established for NYC 911 System units. The goal is to ensure this patient type, particularly STEMI candidates, are evaluated and transported within 15 minutes of patient contact. ePCR data for May 2008 covering 173 cases indicates citywide on- scene time of 32.41 minutes. FDNY EMS will also be tracking on-scene time for several other patient categories comparable to the acute coronary syndrome patient including all chest pain patients, those with a presumptive diagnosis of acute stroke, patients who required On-Line Medical Control contact for ALS orders and trauma patients.

The EMS Bargaining Unit composed of Locals 3621 & 2507 represented by a Chief Negotiator from District Council 37 has been meeting with NYC representatives. Over the course of negotiations, the City has presented the following to the EMS Bargaining Unit: • Proposed contract term of four years (7/1/06 through 8/23/10) with a 16% plus .25% gross increase. • Increase in welfare fund. • Expressed willingness to discuss a 12 hour tour pilot applicable to 1 division only but no sample work chart was given. • Proposal to establish subcommittee to improve pension benefits with cost to be born by employees and the city would provide support for any necessary legislation. • Proposal for pilot program for staffing ALS ambulances with 1 EMT and 1 EMT-P with 6% assignment differential and 12% after 1 year - medics only. • 12% specialty differential for Rescue Medics (Haz-Tac). A prior union response was that they would never agree to the 1 EMT-1EMT-P program. The unions also want to discuss what type of support the city proposes for pension increases and officers who are EMT-Ps. A panel of three arbitrators has been chosen with arbitration dates scheduled in January 2009. Talks on contract terms will continue.

50 new paramedics graduated on 7/2/08 at a ceremony at the Pfizer Auditorium at PolyTech University in Brooklyn. 21 paramedics and 101 EMTs graduated on 9/15/08 at a ceremony held at LaGuardia Community College.

FDNY ’s union issued a warning on 9/23/08 that FDNY ambulances on Staten Island and Queens are running dangerously low on several lifesaving drugs, particularly crucial heart medications. Etomidate, nitroglycerin, Cardizem, sodium bicarbonate and certain types of hypodermic needles were specifically mentioned. The Staten Island Advanced contacted FDNY and was told that there's nothing to worry about. "There are no shortages with regard to running out of medication," said an FDNY spokesman and he wouldn't comment further. By coincidence, also on 9/23 the city’s Budget Director ordered all city agencies to submit plans by 10/8 for cutting 2.5% in the fiscal 2009 budget year, which began July 1. An additional 5% cut is proposed for fiscal 2010, which begins 7/1/09. For FDNY it means $33.9M and $68M cuts.

8 hour tours by 911 system ambulances: ALS BLS Total ALS BLS Total 2006 Tours Tours Tours 2007 Tours Tours Tours October 311.3 599.7 911.0 October 316.9 595.9 912.8 November 314.6 598.7 913.3 November 317.1 592.9 910.0 December 321.4 602.2 923.6 December 332.1 600.8 932.0

2007 2008 January 320.2 612.0 932.3 January 335.3 609.2 944.5 February 319.7 610.1 929.8 February 332.7 596.6 929.2 March 320.7 597.0 917.7 March 332.1 595.6 927.7 April 319.9 601.3 921.3 April 334.1 597.7 931.8 May 321.0 600.4 921.5 May 330.0 594.3 924.3 June 324.9 608.1 933.0 June 329.0 592.4 921.4 July 321.3 608.4 929.6 July 339.7 602.6 942.2 August 321.8 600.6 922.3 August 336.3 596.8 933.1 September 317.5 603.1 920.6 September 337.7 595.0 932.6 Yearly average daily tour totals: 2005 = 934.2 2006 = 919.7 2007 = 923.7

Citywide 911 System EMS response times: 2006 2007 Segment 1 1-3 1-8 # Runs 1-8 1 1-3 1-8 # Runs 1-8 Change 1-8 October 5:09 6:32 7:48 110,919 5:14 6:39 8:25 116,822 Higher Y to Y November 5:07 6:30 7:49 107,953 5:12 6:40 8:17 109,187 Higher Y to Y December 5:08 6:30 7:45 112,559 5:14 6:40 8:17 113,457 Higher Y to Y

2007 2008 January 5:07 6:28 7:38 110,877 4:55 6:26 7:54 113,227 Higher Y to Y February 5:24 6:49 8:24 103,434 5:16 6:49 8:48 111,817 Higher Y to Y March 5:25 6:48 8:32 117,483 5:01 6:37 8:12 114,179 Lower Y to Y April 5:09 6:26 7:49 108,995 4:56 6:25 7:54 111,124 Higher Y to Y May 5:05 6:39 8:28 121,015 5:03 6:40 8:23 120,366 Lower Y to Y June 5:09 6:35 8:10 116,635 5:13 6:55 8:58 123,389 Higher Y to Y July 5:06 6:34 7:58 117,191 4:57 6:33 8:09 122,453 Higher Y to Y August 5:03 6:39 8:14 115,233 4:56 6:30 7:59 116,406 Lower Y to Y September 5:13 6:38 8:17 113,689 5:10 6:41 8:19 113,518 Higher Y to Y

FDNY EMS’ busiest ambulance tours for fiscal year 2008 • 07B Tour 3 - West 34 Street & 9th Avenue, Manhattan - 2,219 responses • 12A Tour 2 - East 48 Street & Lexington Avenue, Manhattan - 2,200 responses • 38H Tour 3 - Albany & Clarkson, Brooklyn - 2,179 responses • 07C Tour 3 - West 27 Street & 6th Avenue, Manhattan - 2,145 responses • 12C Tour 3 - East 110 Street & 5th Avenue, Manhattan - 2,126 responses

Pre-Hospital Save Commendations are awarded to CFR-D truck and squad companies. In 2007 the Department indicated that promotional points will be awarded for pre-hospital saves and they will be the equivalent of a Unit Citation for exam purposes.

The Urban style boots issued last year to department EMTs and paramedics are developing into an issue since becoming mandated use effective 9/9/08. The NY Post reports at least 18 EMS field personnel have been reassigned from ambulance duty to desk jobs because of their problems with wearing the footwear. Back pain, rashes, bleeding and stress fractures have been cited. The FDNY indicated it was awaiting delivery of possible alternatives for the 8" high speed lace, fabric/leather boot designed for Technical Rescue/USAR/EMS/Splash Protection incorporating fire resistant fabric, water-repellent leather, safety toes, electrical hazard rated soles, bottom penetration resistant barrier, steel shank. As with the entire $1,300 PPE ensemble purchased with federal grant funds, many think it is excessive for day-to-day EMS activities.

FDNY EMS Unit 49B was involved in a serious accident on Wednesday morning 8/6/08 about 4:00 AM on the Long Island Expressway westbound at Maurice Avenue. The scenario that unfolded involved an MVA between two cars. After the drivers pulled over and exchanged insurance information one pulled out into traffic and was hit by a tractor trailer. The ambulance and a car collided while trying to avoid the tractor trailer. The total patient count was six with five injuries of varying severity, including both EMTs, and one fatality.

Bureau of Support Services records indicate ambulance downtime is running about 10% vs. 19% for ladder trucks and 18% for pumpers.

FDNY LIASION COMMITTEE

The quarterly Liaison Committee meeting was held on Monday evening 9/15/08. For the quarter June through August volunteer units were placed on a total of 23 assignments by the MARS desk. • June: 4 calls – College Point, Forest Hills, Glendale and Glen Oaks, • July: 14 calls – Bed-Stuy, BRAVO, Corona (2), Forest Hills (2), Jamaica Estates-Holliswood-South Bayside, (2), Middle Village, Rockaway Point (4) and Roxbury • August: 5 calls – Corona, Jamaica Estates-Holliswood-South Bayside (2) and Throggs Neck (2)

FDNY’s Chief of EMS John Peruggia acknowledged in a letter delivered at the meeting that even though volunteer units are logged on by FDNY’s Resource Control Center (RCC), current practice does not utilize them for assignment to medical emergencies. This policy - no mutual aid calls are assigned to VACs - had been informally confirmed in the past. It has been hit or miss if VAC requests to be put on calls in situations where they are on scene were are actually entered into the 911 computer system by individual FDNY dispatchers and show up on VAC activity reports.

The only use for the MARS portable radio per FDNY is to request back-up assistance or additional resources. Even then, individual FDNY dispatchers may not know how to handle the situation. Some squads calling for an additional ambulance have been told to call 911 as the job was not in the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. In other instances, a volunteer crew needing only an ALS unit got that plus another BLS unit, an EMS supervisor and a fire truck. FDNY does not appear willing to address either issue although lives could be at risk with response delays or unnecessary over-response.

NYC COUNCIL 2008-2009 MEMBER ITEM FUNDING FOR VACS & VFDS ANNOUNCED Funding for local programs throughout the city for the 2008-2009 fiscal year which began 7/1/08 has been announced. Each of the 51 Council members received several hundred thousand dollars to allocate to worthy organizations. Included in the over 2,000 grants totaling $46 million were 23 of the city’s 38 independent VACs & VFDs (plus one VAC being formed) who received a total of $146,500. SQUAD AMOUNT SPONSOR(s) Bedford-Stuyvesant VAC 15,000 Vann Broad Channel VFD/VAC 7,000 Addabbo East Midwood VAC Youth training) 5,000 Nelson Edgewater Park VFD 5,000 Vacca Flatlands VAC 10,000 Fidler Forest Hills VAC 3,000 Katz Gerrittsen Beach VFD/VAC 12,500 Fidler Glendale VAC 2,500 Como Glendale VAC (Youth Corps expenses) 5,000 Como Jamaica Estates-HWood-South Bayside VAC 3,000 Weprin Lindenwood VAC 5,000 Addabbo Middle Village VAC 2,000 Como North Shore Rescue Squad 3,000 McMahon North Shore Rescue Squad 3,000 Oddo Point Breeze VFD 5,000 Addabbo Queens Village-Hollis-Bellerose VAC 3,000 Weprin Richmond Engine Co #1 VFD 5,000 Oddo Ridgewood VAC 2,500 Como Rockaway Point VFD/VAC 5,000 Addabbo Roxbury VFD/VAC 5,000 Addabbo Throggs Neck VAC 8,000 Vacca Volunteer Heart Ambulance 3,000 Ignizio Volunteer Heart Ambulance 3,000 Oddo West Hamilton Beach VFD/VAC 7,000 Addabbo Woodhaven-Richmond Hill VAC 5,000 Addabbo Woodhaven-Richmond Hill VAC 1,500 Como Wood-Heights VAC (being formed) 7,500 Sears

Yeshiva of Staten Island is to receive a $5,000 grant sponsored by Councilman Ignizio to "Maintain volunteer ambulance corps, equipment purchase and vehicle maintenance". However, the EIN indicated for the organization, 13-5600419, according to the guidestar.org non-profit reference web site, belongs to Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem, 145 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002. Neither organization is authorized by the NYS DOH to operate an ambulance. It is unclear who is the actual beneficiary of the grant.

Other public safety organizations receiving grants included: American Red Cross 86,000 Multiple grants and sponsors CERT - Battery Park City 5,000 Gerson CERT - Clay Avenue Tenant’s Association 3,000 Foster CERT - New York 3,500 Felder CERT - Upper East Side 3,500 Lappin Chaveirim of Boro Park-Williamsburg 30,000 Felder Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol 20,000 Felder, Fidler & Weprin Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol 10,000 Nelson Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol 5,000 Felder Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol 2,500 Como Guardian Angels 20,000 Ignizio Peninsula Hospital Community CPR Program 6,000 Addabbo Rodeph Chesed Volunteer Ambulette 50,000 Felder, Recchis & Weprin Shmira Civilian Volunteer Patrol of Boro Park 20,000 Felder & Weprin Shmira Civilian Volunteer Patrol of Boro Park 10,000 DeBlasio Williamsburg Safety Patrol 10,000 Yassky

NYC COUNCIL 2008-2009 CAPITAL BUDGET GRANTS In addition to expense grants the NYC Council awarded approximately 800 capital project grants. Three volunteer ambulance or ambulette organizations were recipients: Flatlands VAC: $125,000, Glen Oaks VAC: $150,000 and Rodeph Chesed Volunteer Ambulette: $100,000

HOSPITAL NEWS

NYC hospitals are reporting a small but significant increase in motorcycle/scooter injuries. With gas prices up some commuters have shifted from cars to motorized two wheel transportation. Motorcycles average more than 40 mpg, with many models getting up to 60 mpg, and motor scooters can get anywhere from 75 to 100 mpg. Statewide, registrations of motorcycles have jumped 13%, from 256,571 in 2004 to 291,396 as of June 2008. Registrations in NYC grew from 26,798 in 2004 to 30,592 in June 2008. More riders = more accidents. At one hospital an orthopedic surgeon commented to the NY Post at the end on July that "It's quadrupled in the last four weeks to two to three a week, compared to one big one a month during the summer".

COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL had a fire on Tuesday afternoon 7/29/08. The fire was confined to an elevator control board on the 9th floor but there was a heavy smoke condition on floors 7 thru 9. The 7th floor is an operating theatre and there were 5 patients in the theatre at the time - 1 pre-op, 2 post-op and 2 active surgeries. The 2 active patients were sheltered in place in a smoke free environment. The pre and post operative patients were discharged from the hospital. The 8th and 9th floors contain labs and machinery rooms. The NYC Department of Buildings reportedly issued violations to the hospital. + = $aving$

The North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is affiliated with the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association (NYSVA&RA)…therefore, if your squad is part of the NYSVA&RA, you are part of us! NYSVA&RA member squads automatically become members of the NCEMSC. NYSVA&RA elects to pay your squad's annual NCEMSC membership dues (a $75 value)! Your involvement is important. We share revenue! A percentage of your purchases are returned to the NYSVA&RA, which helps NYSVA&RA recoup the annual NCEMSC membership dues and support other projects. The NCEMSC is a group of more than 2,000 EMS organizations that have joined together to take advantage of volume pricing discounts on a wide array of EMS products and services. As a NYSVA&RA member squad, you will have the opportunity to share in these discounts.

Are you tired of paying catalog prices? If so, the NCEMSC can help you!

The NCEMSC assists members in providing cost-effective, quality service by negotiating discounted contracts for the following equipment and supplies: Ambulances Billing & Collection Services Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators Electronic Patient Care Reporting System EMS Legal Services & Seminars Fleet Fuel Cards Medical Supplies & Equipment Office Equipment, Furniture & Supplies Promotional Clothing & Items

Inquire Today!

NORTH CENTRAL EMS COOPERATIVE www.ncemsc.org (888) 603-4426 [email protected]

LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL (LICH) in the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn announced in late July that it was closing its money losing OB-GYN Maternity Ward services. No date has been announced as the plan has to be approved by the NYS DOH and for the present there is no change in 911 system patient destinations. Some prominent obstetricians have already shifted their patients to other hospitals. New York Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn Hospital Center in Fort Greene and Lutheran Medical Center in Sunset Park would be expected to see increases in their maternity patients. LICH also plans to sell two of its buildings, one at 97 Amity Street, and the Polhemus building across the street. LICH is part of the Continuum Health Partners consortium which includes Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan. Effective 8/26/08 LICH ceased operating a NYC 911 Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) center.

NORTH SHORE-LONG ISLAND JEWISH HEALTH SYSTEMS has opened a new EMS training location called the Center for Learning and Innovation. The 15,000 square foot facility, which includes a high fidelity patient simulation lab, is located in Lake Success across from Long Island Jewish Hospital on the Queens-Nassau border at 1979 Marcus Avenue, Suite E-130, Lake Success, NY 11042. The phone number is (516) 319-6150 and there is a web site at www.NSLIJ.com/CLI.

OUR LADY OF MERCY MEDICAL CENTER in the Bronx has been acquired by MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER. Effective 7/23/07 its name was changed to MONTEFIORE MEDICAL CENTER-NORTH DIVISION. The hospital retains its old designation, H28, in the NYC 911 system.

ST. JOHN’S QUEENS HOSPITAL has been designated by the NYS DOH as a Stroke Center.

NEWS ABOUT NYC EMERGENCY SERVICE PROVIDERS

HURRICANE GUSTAV resulted in the activation of a FEMA contract to send EMS ambulance resources to the region. American Medical Response (AMR) is the prime national contractor and has subcontracted with other private ambulance services throughout the country. The EMS resources are expected to bring enough supplies and equipment to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours. In the NYC area the following resources were sent: - Citywide Mobile Response: five ambulances and 15 EMS personnel on 8/29/08 - SeniorCare: three ambulances (2 BLS and 1 ALS) and crews to Louisiana on 8/29/08

BAYSIDE VAC is operating from temporary quarters about a block from their old base and garage on 42 Avenue off Bell Boulevard while construction is taking place. Three of four lots owned by the squad were sold off for development. The squad expects to move back to new smaller quarters at the old location about May 2009.

BED-STUY VAC lost two members within two weeks. Deputy Chief Danielle Locario passed away on Sunday morning 9/21/08. The 24 year old went into cardiac arrest at her home just a few hours after ending her shift. On-scene resuscitation efforts failed and she was pronounced at Woodhull Hospital. On Thursday 10/2/08 40 year old EMT Wayne Phillips was found dead at home after a family member called 911 to investigate not being able to contact him. Wayne also served with St. John’s Queens Hospital (Caritas) EMS on unit 46G.

CARITAS HEALTH CARE has received two new ambulances, lettering one for MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL (#4871) and the other for ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL (#4678). Both vehicles are Type III dual rear wheel modulars built by Medtec on Chevy diesel powered chassis.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS (CERT) are now active in 46 of the city’s 59 Community Board areas. There are about 1,000 active CERT volunteers. On 7/23/08 eight new teams graduated after an 11 week training program covering fire safety, search and rescue and disaster medical operations. Included was a corporate team from UBS of 31 members. It joins the first corporate team from BNP Paribas. In September another 6 CERT teams from the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan began training. NYC OEM hopes to have teams in all Community Board areas by December 2009.

CORONA VAC’s , Dr. Neill S. Oster passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2008.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESCUE OF NEW YORK CITY recently acquired two Segway HT's. They are fully stocked with equipment and defibrillators. Since being placed in service in July they have been used at a number of events around the city including an outdoor concert at St. John’s University, a “Duck Curry Festival” at Floyd Bennett Field and a “Back to the Beach” event on Staten Island. This is the first utilization of medically equipped Segway HT units for emergency medical response in New York City. Additional pictures of the Segways are on the organization’s web site at http://www.emrnyc.com/segway.htm

GLENDALE VAC has sold its newest ambulance, a 2006 Ford/Marque dual rear wheel Type III designated Glendale 8, to raise funds. An older unit, Glendale 6, which had been decommissioned in 2006 and had been in storage, has been returned to service. Glendale 7 remains in service.

HATZALAH’S FLATBUSH DIVISION plays softball once a week in the summer months against various divisions of the NYPD, FDNY and local hospital doctors & staff. On Tuesday evening, 7/15/08 Flatbush played against the NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn South (PBBS). The game was tied at 2-2 until the 8th inning, when the NYPD took the lead by 2 runs. The following inning, Flatbush scored 6 runs, and the NYPD scored another 2 in the top of the ninth. The final score was 8-6 Flatbush.

LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL (LICH) in Brooklyn celebrates 150 of service in 2008 while its ambulance service has been in operation for 135 years. According to the Brooklyn Eagle, back in the early days LICH served as a Central Depot for an area which extended from Red Hook to Greenpoint and what is now a 911 call was a “hurry call” to a police precinct. The ambulance driver had to hitch up the horse before he and the “ambulance surgeon” could respond. It was not until the 1920s that a motorized vehicle replaced the horses. Today LICH EMS operates six ambulances providing 2 BLS (32D and 32F) and 2 ALS (32V and 32X) units in the 911 system. 65 EMTs and paramedics respond to over 10,000 calls annually.

OUR LADY OF MERCY MEDICAL CENTER EMS is no more. According to posts on a buff site, 15V, the ALS bus is now gone, moved over to FDNY EMS. The four BLS buses, 15A, 15C, 15E and 27A, are now MonteNorth buses run by TransCare (the exact same buses as the Monte/Einstein ambulances, but with the old OLMMC bus numbers 2836, etc...). The OLMMC employees are now Montefiore employees. There is still an OLMMC EMS Supervisor that is their Hospital EMS Administrator. The old OLMMC medics are on the MonteNorth buses as BLS for right now, at medic pay. The EMS training program is still running with the same instructors but sponsorship is transferred to Montefiore Medical Center.

WEST HAMILTON BEACH VFD-VAC’s former Chief Kevin Delano, passed away on 7/30/08. Local news reports attribute his death from leukemia at the age of 54 to “causes related to the attacks of 9/11/01”. He participated in rescue and recovery operations at the WTC site for more than 40 consecutive hours looking for fellow . During his career, Delano was a member of the US Coast Guard for four years, served as a federal on Governor’s Island and then with FDNY’s Ladder 142 in Ozone Park. He was also a Little League coach, often being called away for an emergency response.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

FIRE, RESCUE & EMS MEGA SHOW at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, Long Island, Saturday 1/24/09 and Sunday 1/25/09.

CRUISE FOR OUR CAUSE WITH THE NYSVA&RA Join fellow EMS providers, friends and family on Thursday, April 30, 2009 for an 8 day eastern Caribbean cruise from New York aboard the Carnival Miracle. After two “Fun Days” at sea, you’ll have from afternoon to midnight to explore cosmopolitan San Juan. The next day, savor breakfast on deck in the gorgeous harbor of St. Thomas before sunning on soft-sand beaches, snorkeling in crystal- clear waters or winding your way through the duty-free shops of Charlotte Amalie. At your last destination, you can explore Tortola’s lush green mountains and unspoiled coves or visit Virgin Gorda to play in the grottoes and pools formed by the area’s gigantic rocks. On this cruise, you’ll enjoy one fun adventure after another. Along with all the shipboard fun and activities…you will enjoy a complimentary cocktail party where you can mingle with your friends and family or make new friends. • Inside cabins start at $953 per person for 1st and 2nd passenger • Ocean view cabins start at $1073 per person for 1st and 2nd passenger • Balcony cabins start at $1203 per person for 1st and 2nd passenger Airfare for you and your group to New York on the day of your cruise and/or an extra night or more in New York City to enjoy all the bright spots on Broadway can be added. Deposit of $300 per person is due before December 15, 2008 with final payment due February 14, 2009. Above prices include all fees and taxes. Deposits are fully refundable until Final Payment. Insurance is available for an additional fee. For more information or to make reservations contact Rosemarie Postilio, Creative Travel International/American Express at (516) 541-5390 or e-mail [email protected].

2009 VOLUNTEER EMS RECOGNITION DINNER The District 4 and 18 annual Volunteer EMS Recognition Dinner will be held on Tuesday evening, May 12, 2009 at Russo’s On-The-Bay in Howard Beach, Queens. Discounted tables for 10 are available to volunteer squads for $350 through 12/31/08. For information go to www.emsdinner.com/vac.htm or contact Martin Grillo at (718) 474-0680 or [email protected]. NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION, INC. PO Box 254 Phone: (877) NYS-VARA East Schodack, NY 12063 FAX: (518) 477-4430 www.nysvara.org E-mail: [email protected] Serving New York’s Volunteer EMS Community since 1939 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Organization Name

S Squad Mailing Address Q U City County State Zip A D Squad Phone Number Squad Fax Number

Squad E-mail address Squad web address

Signature of Squad Officer Print Name/Title Date I N Individual Name D Home Address I

V City County State Zip I D Home Phone U E-mail address Squad Affiliation A

L Signature of Individual Member Date

My Service is: BLS ALS (Circle all that apply) Initial Membership Sign-up which is NYS Certified Registered Individual Member ** and is Fire-Affiliated Independent $10.00 Commercial Organization (Squad or Company) ** $55.00 and is Volunteer Ambulance First Responder Rescue Squad Sustaining (Corporate/Commercial) $125.00

and I am a: Driver Attendant Dispatcher Send this application along with a Check or Money Order payable to: Clerical CPR-D CFR CFR-D NEW YORK STATE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE & EMT-D EMT-I EMT-CC EMT-P RESCUE ASSOCIATION, INC.

** In areas of the State with active local affiliates, district dues apply. We encourage you to become active in your local district or- ganization. District dues, where applicable, will be automatically added at renewal. FIRST YEAR SQUAD dues are prorated as fol- lows: full annual dues for Oct 1 to Sept 30; three-quarters of annual dues for Jan 1 to Sept 30; one-half of annual dues for April 1 to Sept. 30; and one-quarter of annual dues for July 1 to Sept 1. MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATION TO Fran Serrentino, District 4 Financial Secretary, 78-11 58 Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379

NYS VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION Non Profit Org. PO Box 254 U.S. Postage East Schodack, NY 12063 PAID Flushing, NY Permit No. 1785 District 4, NYC Region THE PULSE Newsletter October 2008